Yarn cutting thimble



Jan. 15, 1946. J. 5. SMITH YARN CUTTING THIMBLE Filed Nov. 10, .1944

- INVEN'rOR.

ATTORNEY. I

Patented Jan. 15, 1946 YARN CUTTING THIIVIBLE John S. Smith, Ramsey, N. J assignor to Botany Worsted Mills, Passaic, N. J., a corporation of New Jersey Application November 10, 1944, Serial No. 562,874

2 Claims.

The object of the present invention is to provlde a cutting thimble for yarn which will be particularly adaptable for use in weaving mills requiring quick tieing of broken threads and cuttins of the excess knot ends. The particular ob ject of the invention is to provide such a cutting thimble which will be securely held upon the finger of an operator, during use thereof, and yet without binding, which is instantly adjustable so that a single initial size may be used for the various operators having fingers of various thicknesses, which will be of unitary form, and which will be inexpensive in construction.

The invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which Fig. 1 is a plan view of the completed metal blank from which the cutting thimble is bent into generally tubular form.

Fig. 2 is a view in elevation of the formed cutting thimble.

Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the form shown in Fig.

Fig. 4 is a schematic view, generally in perspective, showing the device on the second finger of an operators hand and in position to cut the knot end of a tied strand, the latter being held by both hands of the operator.

Referring to the drawing, I have shown in Fig. 1 a formed blank I which may consist of a section of steel sheet rounded at its base and preferably formed with a top line lying diagonally with respect to a median line extending through the blank longitudinally thereof. At one end of such diagonal line, at 2, the blank is notched and the edges of the notched area are sharpened to form a cutting edge.

At opposite sides of its longitudinal center the blank is formed with two apertures, at 3, which are preferably elongated and thus oval in form. In the embodiment shown the length of each aperture is approximately twice the width of the aperture, and for a purpose now to be described.

In forming the blank it is bent ,into tubular form in the manner shown in Figs. 2 and 4. In. Practice the device will generally be made of steel tempered as a whole or as to the notched and sharpened cutting area so that the latter will retain its cutting edge for a long period of time.

The elongated aperture provide two important features, in addition to providing lightness with strength: First, the cutting thimble is securely held upon the finger without undue binding, because pressure is largely relieved by the outward projection of opposed finger areas into the apertures, and such projected finger areas hold the thimble against slippage thereof in the movements of -the operators hand. Secondly, said elongated apertures so condition the cutting thimble that it may instantly be expanded to fit an operator having. a larger finger size than that for which the thimble i initially formed and likewise it may be instantly compressed for size reduction. This cannot effectively be done in the absence of this feature of my invention when the metal is that required to meet service conditions, i. e., steel of reasonable hardness and springy characteristics.

It will be seen that in the embodiment shown the apertures 3 diverge toward the base of the device.

When the blank is brought into tubular form the resulting cutting thimble will have a greater diameter at its lower area and the cutting hook formed by the notch will be at the higher point of the thimble due to the fact that it is at the high end of the top diagonal line. Inasmuch as the latter at the opposite end joins its side wall with a line of curvature the cutting hook is adequately exposed.

In Fig. 4 I have shown a normal use of my cutting thimble, and it may be assumed that the operator is holding a yarn leading from a supply cone to a spool or bobbin in a weaving mill. .The operator, in accordance with usual skill, has tied the broken ends with a quick motion of the right hand forefinger and thumb and has swung her second finger over into cutting position. A single down motion of the second finger will sever the excess ends projecting from the knot and thus will complete the operation.

By means of my invention in one large mill it has been established that the device is capable of being comfortably worn by the operators with secure holding thereof over lengthy periods and without affecting the skill of the operators in the use of their hands not only in the repeated yarn tieing but in the intermediate various operations incidental to weaving and yarn winding machines.

Having described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letter Patent is as follows:

1. A cutting thimble for yarn consisting of a sheet member of relatively hard metal having a top, base and sides and formed with opposed elongated apertures at the sides of its longitudinal center line, said member immediately below its top, at one end thereof, being notched and provided with a cutting edge, said member being brought into generally tubular form.

2. A cutting thimble for yarn consisting of a sheet member of relatively hard metal having sides, a rounded base and a top extending in a diagonal line relatively to the,

longitudinal axis of the said member and at one end having a rounded line connection with one side wall, the opposite side wall being notched and knife edged immediately below the top, said member being brought into generally tubular form with the base of greater diameter.

' JOHN S. SMITH. 

